“In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”
Matthew 26:55-61 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.26.55-61.KJV
A Willing Heart
The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was hiding from his enemies in fear. Yet the angel’s message was, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12, NIV). Gideon did not feel strong or courageous—quite the opposite! But God wasn’t speaking about Gideon’s past or his ability. He was announcing what He could do through His powerful presence.
That same truth changed Andrew Palau’s life. For years, Andrew resisted God’s call to be a preaching evangelist. Speaking in public filled him with dread—he knew he wasn’t good at it! And he felt certain he was the wrong person for the job.
But when he read Gideon’s story, the words of Judges 6:12 struck Andrew. God called Gideon “mighty warrior” before he ever fought a battle. Andrew realized God wasn’t dependent on human ability—but His own ability. God was declaring what was possible through His own strength.
That realization shifted everything. As Andrew surrendered his fear, God began to ...